How Utnapishtim gained immortality from Enlil after the Flood the Annunaki caused.

The primary and most well-known account of how Utnapishtim gained immortality comes from the Epic of Gilgamesh itself, specifically in Tablet XI. However, variations of the flood story appear in other Mesopotamian texts as well, often with differences in the details. Here’s a summary of these accounts:

1. Epic of Gilgamesh (Tablet XI)

• This is the most detailed version of Utnapishtim's story. Utnapishtim narrates his tale to Gilgamesh, describing how he and his wife were granted immortality.

Summary:

1. Warning from Ea: Ea (Enki), the god of wisdom and freshwater, warns Utnapishtim of the gods' plan to destroy humanity.
2. Building the Ark: Utnapishtim builds a large boat according to Ea's instructions.
3. Surviving the Flood: The boat survives the storm and lands on Mount Nimush.
4. Offering to the Gods: Utnapishtim offers a sacrifice that pleases the gods.
5. Immortality Granted: Enlil, initially angry at the survival of humans, grants Utnapishtim and his wife immortality.

2. Atra-Hasis Epic

• The Atra-Hasis Epic is another Mesopotamian flood narrative that pre-dates the Epic of Gilgamesh.
• In this version, Utnapishtim is known as Atra-Hasis ("Exceedingly Wise").

Summary:

1. Warning from Enki: Enki warns Atra-Hasis of the gods' plan to send a flood.
2. Building the Ark: Atra-Hasis builds a large boat with instructions from Enki.
3. Surviving the Flood: Atra-Hasis survives the storm and lands safely.
4. Offering to the Gods: He offers a sacrifice to the gods.
5. Immortality Granted: Enki and the other gods grant immortality to Atra-Hasis and his wife.

Notable Differences:

• In this version, the gods are angry at the overpopulation of humanity, leading them to create the flood as a solution.

3. Sumerian Flood Story (Ziusudra)

• The Sumerian Flood Story involves the character Ziusudra (the Sumerian precursor to Utnapishtim).
• Although only fragmentary tablets exist, the general outline is consistent with other versions.

Summary:

1. Warning from Enki: Enki warns Ziusudra of an impending flood sent by the gods.
2. Building the Ark: Ziusudra builds a large boat following Enki’s guidance.
3. Surviving the Flood: Ziusudra survives the flood and offers a sacrifice to the gods.
4. Immortality Granted: Ziusudra is granted immortality and taken to live in Dilmun (a mythical paradise).

Notable Differences:

• Ziusudra is taken to Dilmun, a mythical land, as opposed to the "mouth of the rivers" mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Comparative Analysis

1. Common Elements:

   • A god warns the hero about the flood.
   • The hero builds a boat according to divine instructions.
   • The flood destroys humanity.
   • The hero survives and offers a sacrifice to the gods.
   • The gods grant immortality to the hero and his wife.

2. Differences:

   • The motivations behind the flood vary (overpopulation, noise, human wickedness).
   • The precise nature of the immortality differs (Utnapishtim vs. Atra-Hasis vs. Ziusudra).

Conclusion

The main sources describing Utnapishtim's (or Atra-Hasis's or Ziusudra's) path to immortality are the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Atra-Hasis Epic, and the Sumerian Flood Story. These ancient texts provide different perspectives on the same core myth.

Biblical Flood Story (Genesis 6-9)

Overview:

• God decides to destroy humanity due to its wickedness.
• Noah is warned by God to build an ark and save his family and pairs of all living creatures.
• After the flood, Noah offers sacrifices, and God establishes a covenant with Noah, promising not to flood the earth again

Approximate Dates of Composition and Events

1. Sumerian Flood Story (Ziusudra)

• Date of Composition: ca. 2100 BCE - 2000 BCE
• Tablet Discovery Location: Nippur, modern-day Iraq
• Details:
  • Ziusudra is mentioned as a king in the Sumerian King List and in the Sumerian flood myth.
  • He survives the flood and is granted eternal life.

2. Atra-Hasis Epic

• Date of Composition: ca. 1800 BCE - 1600 BCE
• Tablet Discovery Location: Assur, Sippar, Babylon (modern-day Iraq)
• Details:
  • The Atra-Hasis Epic is an Akkadian flood story written in Old Babylonian.
  • Atra-Hasis builds a boat to survive the flood and receives divine favor.

3. Epic of Gilgamesh (Tablet XI - Flood Story)

• Date of Composition: ca. 1200 BCE (Standard Babylonian Version)
  • Older versions date back to ca. 2000 BCE (Old Babylonian Period).
• Tablet Discovery Location: Library of Ashurbanipal, Nineveh (modern-day Iraq)
• Details:
  • The Epic of Gilgamesh includes a flood story where Utnapishtim survives the flood and is granted immortality.

4. Biblical Flood Story (Genesis 6-9)

• Date of Composition:
  • Traditional Dating: ca. 1446 BCE (Exodus date, Mosaic authorship)
  • Scholarly Consensus: ca. 1000 BCE - 500 BCE (multiple sources and redaction)
• Details:
  • The biblical flood story describes Noah building an ark to save his family and pairs of animals from the flood.

Key Summary:

1. Sumerian Flood Story (Ziusudra): ca. 2100 BCE - 2000 BCE

   • Earliest known flood story.

2. Atra-Hasis Epic: ca. 1800 BCE - 1600 BCE

   • Akkadian version of the flood narrative.

3. Epic of Gilgamesh (Tablet XI): ca. 1200 BCE (Standard Babylonian Version)

   • Contains a version of the flood story.

4. Biblical Flood Story: ca. 1000 BCE - 500 BCE

   • Incorporates elements from older Mesopotamian traditions.

Correlation of Themes Across Stories:

• Divine Warning:

  • Ziusudra, Atra-Hasis, Utnapishtim, and Noah are all warned by gods of the impending flood.

• Building a Boat/Ark:

  • All figures build a large boat to survive the flood.

• Sacrifice and Reward:

  • Ziusudra, Atra-Hasis, and Utnapishtim receive immortality/divine favor.
  • Noah receives a covenant with God.